There are a lot of ways to sell books. You can wait for the reviews to roll in (hopefully, positive). You can pray to the Goddess of Oprah. You can run contests (bloggers, I’ve got author copies!). You can do interviews (check out my latest Q&A on The Five Randoms ). You can cross your fingers and hope Teen People notices your debut YA novel (psst…Teen People editors, if you’re reading this, I’m SO available). Or you can invite friends, colleagues and industry insiders to a restaurant in Philadelphia and promise free mojitos and margaritas!
Yes, I am once again talking about my BOOK LAUNCH PARTY, which is only two weeks away. Last night, I met with the manager of the restaurant where I will be hosting my festivities, and I got to tell him that we already have 100 guests who have RSVP’d that they’ll be attending! The list spans everyone from my mom and dad, to a councilman from Camden, to my high school Spanish teacher, to my former college roommates, to my old boss, to my agent’s assistant, to an online book blogger, to my friends from high school. It’s going to be a blast!
Now, if you’re new to the blog (thank you for joining us), let me catch you up — Amor and Summer Secrets debuted this week! Oh yes, walk into your friendly neighborhood bookstore and go perusing through the YA shelves—staring back at your should be a glorious cover with my name on it.
I even have proof. Check out this cell phone photo that one of my fellow Random Musers over at Absolute Write took for me. She was in a bookstore—in Nashville, no less! I’ve never been there—and she snapped this picture of my book on the shelf. She even turned it face-out (and secretly gave it better eye-level placement—awesome).
Thanks, Mandy!!
How nice is she to do that? It’s the first image I received of my book ON SALE!
So to keep the good times going, my husband and I went to the Borders on Broad Street in Philly and found my book on display. And I was not the slightest bit embarrassed to stand in front of complete strangers and have my picture taken with a bookshelf. I even the signed the stock. So if you want an autographed copy, swing by the Broad Street Borders and pick one up.
Young adult author in action
So while you may not be in Philly to get your free margarita with proof of purchase, stay tuned for some fun contest giveaways! Next week, we plan to launch a Back To School Prize Pack with free signed copies of “Amor and Summer Secrets,” ARCs of “Amigas and School Scandals,” as well as bookmarks, bookplates, and more! Happy reading!
POP-CULTURE RANT: General Hospital
Laura’s back! Oh, my God, I had no idea this was coming! When the writers started the whole “Lulu is going to crazy like her mom” storyline, I thought it was a bit played out. I had no idea it was leading to Genie Francis. I haven’t read the tabloids, so I have no idea if she’s here for good or just a quick appearance (if you know, send me a comment). But I’m thrilled to have her back. However, what’s up with Scotty Baldwin being able to handle the prosecution of his own son’s murder trial. Come on, I know it’s a soap, but seriously? Your viewers aren’t retarded, GH. And exactly how many ghosts is a soap opera permitted to have? Because I thought Alan was pushing it, but now we have to deal with Logan too. Really?
Laura is back on GH on a temporary basis. Genie Francis has she would like stay on but the show has only offered her a short stint on the show. :>(
Laura’s still is not slated for long but soap being soap that could change (read it in SOD while standing in line for groceries).
Book party sounds like fun. I’d offer to read and review on my site, but I haven’t done my first author blog tour yet – 19th Wife by david ebershoff in November – and I don’t know that any of my regulars are YA readers. I know someone who does review and author interviews though. Her blog is called Planet Book. Her name is Karen and she recently did a couple of YA books and author interview. Stephanie Khuenert’s I Wanna be Your Joey Ramone and The Summer of Naked Swim Parties – can’t remember the author’s name.
Anyway, Karen is always looking for books and authors.
I am enjoying your blog.
Cool Good luck on your Book launch party! 🙂 You have ARCs of Amigas and School Scandals???? Awesome! I currently reading your book and I’m really liking it! 😀